Southampton have begun the season with three disappointing defeats across two competitions, the latest of which continues a wretched run of home form with a 5-2 defeat at St. Mary’s Stadium against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Saints had begun well and led for most of the first half when Danny Ings wonderfully opened his account, but the second period transpired into sheer calamity as Ralph Hasenhuttl watched his side roll over and succumb to Spurs’ pressure.
Saints failed to build on early momentum
And the manager acknowledged the positivity of the first 45 minutes where his time looked to be in control and set up for an important win.
“We had a strong first half with some very good scenes, with a lot of chances from our side,” he told the club website.
The Austrian was made to rue “one silly mistake” as his side, for all of their good work, went into the half-time break back at square one.
“Our heads went down a little, their heads a little bit up,” he said of the momentum swing after Son Heung-Min’s equaliser.
The Korean scored the first of his four goals on the brink of the interval and the second almost immediately after it, serving as a real sucker-punch for the hosts.
Hasenhuttl: Spurs mentally stronger
Hasenhuttl admitted it was difficult after Tottenham went in front, saying they were “mentally on a stronger path” and were able to bring their quality into the game.
Spurs repeatedly exposed Southampton’s high defensive line with Harry Kane delivering each of Son’s goals to his teammate with virtually no resistance from a Saints outfit lacking answers.
“We could not push them back like we wanted to. When you have no pressure on the ball you cannot play such a high line,” Hasenhuttl said.
The Saints boss felt the team should have abandoned the high line at that point and “defend our own box with everything we have”.
Southampton will have the chance to respond when they go to Turf Moor to battle Burnley on Saturday night.